Home Office

Undocumented Migrants

Lord Rosser: To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the current number of individuals who are in the United Kingdom illegally.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: By its very nature, it is not possible to know the exact size of the illegal population, or the number of people who arrive illegally, and so we do not seek to make any official estimates of the illegal population. In June 2019, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a note on ‘measuring illegal migration’.The Home Office does publish statistics on irregular arrivals to the UK as part of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK’ quarterly statistics release on gov.uk. However, this does not indicate the number of irregular migrants currently in the UK.

Proscribed Organisations

Lord Blencathra: To ask His Majesty's Government for what reasons the Islamic Army of Aden is a proscribed organisation; and whether they have any plans to proscribe the Houthigroup as a proscribed organisation.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The Islamic Army of Aden was proscribed in March 2001. It has a history of involvement in attempts to overthrow the Government of Yemen, including through use of terrorism to establish an Islamic State following Sharia Law.The UK Government has been unequivocal: the illegal attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, as well as attacks against British and allied warships, are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Together with the US, the UK Government has imposed coordinated sanctions on the Houthis. This is in addition to the US-UK led strikes, conducted with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain and Australia.The Government does not routinely comment whether an organisation is under consideration for proscription. The Government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under review.

Teleperformance: Complaints

Lord Rosser: To ask His Majesty's Government how many complaints they have received about Teleperformance overseas helplines, and what compensation has been awarded to customers, in each month since 2022.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The number of complaints made to the UKVI international helpline, managed by Teleperformance, are found in the table below.We do not hold the data relating to how much compensation has been issued in relation to contact made to the UKVI Contact Centre, as this is held by Teleperformance.Teleperformance collect call and email charges on behalf of UKVI. Where any refunds are to be issued in relation to complaints made against the services, it is appropriate for Teleperformance to manage these refund transactions.Complaints made to the UKVI international helpline (docx, 14.6KB)

Migrant Workers: Health Services and Social Services

Lord Oates: To ask His Majesty's Government onhow many occasions enforcement action has been taken against care providers who fail to provide sufficient work for health and care workers recruited from overseas under the Certificate of Sponsorship scheme.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The Home Office does not publish data that would cover this request.

Migrant Workers: Health Services and Social Services

Lord Oates: To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance is currently issued to health and care workers recruited from overseas with regard to the right of entry of dependent children.

Lord Oates: To ask His Majesty's Government whethersupport is provided to health and care workers recruited overseas in the visa application process for dependent children.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The Home Office publishes guidance on the Health and Care visa to assist in making a visa application, including for dependents. This can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa. The guidance will be updated once the net migration changes announced in December come into force. Further details on the measures, and how carers and dependents will be affected, is available here: https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/01/reducing-net-migration-factsheet-december-2023/.

Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration

Lord Rosser: To ask His Majesty's Government when all Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration reports submitted to the Home Office will be published.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The department takes every inspection report seriously and considers the findings and recommendations carefully. This can sometimes mean the publication process is longer than expected. We will publish the reports in due course.

Department of Health and Social Care

General Practitioners

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government for each year in England since 2008, how many (1) GP surgeries (including branch practices) were open, (2) GP surgeries (including branch practices) were newly opened, and (3) GP practices were operating.

Lord Markham: Data prior to 2013 is not available. The following table shows the number of open practices and newly opened practices, including branches, each September from 2013 to September 2023, the most recent period for which data is available:YearOpen practicesNewly opened practices20139,577512014 9,5596320159,64615420169,5409920179,46011820189,46320320199,32616820209,1689720219,0977220229,0159920239,025129Source: data provided is from the Epraccur GP Practice data file, which is produced by NHS Organisation Data Service.Note: The data includes main and branch practices, while COVID-19 service branches have been excluded.It is not possible for us to distinguish between open and operating practices. Newly opened practices are defined as having opened within the 12 months up to the date referenced. Additionally, new branch practice openings include pre-existing practices that reopened as a branch of another practice.

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities: Staff

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Markham on 5 February (HL1920), how many staff and whole time equivalents were attached to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) before its recent internal restructuring; and how many staff and whole time equivalents now work on OHID responsibilities in teams across the Department.

Lord Markham: The latest available data, as of the end of December 2023, shows that there were 777 full time equivalent employees in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). As part of an internal restructure within the Department on 1 February 2024, all OHID staff were integrated into the groups of three Directors General, under the clinical and professional leadership of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer.

Blood: Donors

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the donation of blood, plasma, tissues and cells for use in developing cell and gene therapies.

Lord Markham: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are responsible for promoting blood, plasma, tissue and cell donation across England and Wales. They are also uniquely positioned to promote the exciting developments in novel cellular and molecular therapies which offer the promise of new treatments and potential cures for many diseases and disorders to the public.NHSBT work with the community, consumer, and national and local media to place educational and inspirational stories in the news and use their social media channels to share stories and case studies showing the benefits of blood, plasma, tissue, and cell donation.

Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they anticipate needing to update legislation in response to the forthcoming European Commission Regulation on standards of quality and safety for substances of human origin intended for human application and repealing Directives 2002/98/EC and 2004/23/E.

Lord Markham: Once the final legal text for the Standards of quality and safety for substances of human origin intended for human application and repealing is published, we will fully consider and assess any impact of the revised regulation.

Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enhance the safety, quality, supply and accessibility of therapies derived from substances of human origin.

Lord Markham: Therapies derived from substances of human origin include those using reproductive and non-reproductive tissues and cells, organs, stem cells, blood, and blood products including plasma. A range of different bodies have responsibility for safety, quality, supply and accessibility.NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) provides some of the safest products in the world and are regulated by the Care Quality Commission, Human Tissue Authority and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. NHSBT also work closely with the safety policy units of the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues, and Organs and the Joint Professional Advisory Committee to blood services in the United Kingdom.The Sustainability and Certainty in Organ Retrieval Programme was established in May 2023, following consultation and engagement with stakeholders across the organ donation and transplantation pathway. The key aim is to make improvements to the pathways with the aim of creating a more sustainable, efficient, and predictable service model.The Department, NHSBT, NHS England and the devolved administrations are working together to create a long-term domestic supply of plasma for lifesaving medicines. Medicines will be available exclusively to National Health Service patients from early 2025. Additionally, the UK Stem Cell Strategic Forum provides advice on how the UK can develop a stronger and more resilient domestic stem cell supply chain.The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is the UK regulator for the use of reproductive tissues and cells in fertility treatment and embryo research. This remit includes keeping abreast of all issues relating to quality and safety.

Pregnancy: Air Pollution

Lord Woolley of Woodford: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Black Child Clean Air Reportpublished by Global Black Maternal Health in June 2023, which indicatedthat almost half of all Black mothers do not feel educated on the foetal impact of air pollution exposure during pregnancy.

Lord Markham: While no specific assessment has been made, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are working with the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs to review the Air Quality Information System to ensure members of the public, and vulnerable groups, have the information they need to protect themselves and understand their impact on air quality. UKHSA’s Cleaner Air Programme also aims to reduce people’s exposure to air pollution and achieve better outcomes for all, particularly for the most vulnerable populations including pregnant women and ethnic minority groups.

Abortion: Statistics

Lord Jackson of Peterborough: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Markham on 9 February (HL2132) where they stated that they are "inviting views from third parties on abortion statistics for England and Wales, including the future publication of abortion complications data", how they intend to (1) collect, (2) collate, (3) analyse, and (4) respond, to that data; and how they intend to share that information more widely to allow parliamentarians to scrutinise and measure the efficacy of current policy on telemedicine.

Lord Markham: The statistics used in the publication Complications from abortions in England are official statistics in development. In accordance with the Office for Statistics Regulation’s guidance, we have ensured that users are involved and can contribute to the future of this publication. We are currently collecting feedback via two methods: an anonymous online form; and our abortion statistics mailbox. Both are publicly advertised online, and anyone is welcome to respond.We will collate and analyse feedback on an ongoing basis to ensure that we take account of the opinions of those using our statistics, as we develop them. Collation and analysis will be undertaken in line with the Government’s statistical standards.Finally, the Office for Statistics Regulation advises a proportionate approach to feedback that is targeted on gathering the required information, which is why we have implemented the mentioned collection methods. The aim of these collection methods is to inform and update our abortion publications, and we do not plan on sharing this feedback externally.

Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People Independent Review

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Royal College of General Practice on the interim report of the Dr Hilary Cass review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care in February 2022.

Lord Markham: No discussions have been had with the Royal College of General Practitioners about the Cass Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People. NHS England commissioned the review and we look forward to the final report, which will be published soon.

Treasury

Financial Services

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the revision of the rules agreed by Brussels on derivatives trading, what assessment they have made on the impact this will have on the UK's financial services market.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The UK has one of the world’s most robust regulatory regimes for central counterparties, and the government has taken forward work to further strengthen that regime, given our commitment to high regulatory standards. It is an international norm for jurisdictions to rely on each other’s market infrastructure. The government therefore sees no reason of substance why the UK cannot or should not continue to provide clearing services for countries in the EU and around the world.

Shipping: Russia

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask His Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the extent of UK-based protection and indemnity insurance underwriting the shipping of Russian oil and products.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Oil Price Cap was designed to meet two core objectives: to bear down on Russian revenues that could otherwise be used to fund their illegal war, whilst also maintaining global energy security and flows of affordable oil to countries that need it. The measure has been effective partly thanks to the prevalence of highly sought after G7 service providers, it is very hard to make major oil trades or gain significant market share without using G7 services at all. Where G7 services are involved in the shipping of Russian oil and oil products, these trades must be conducted at or below the relevant price cap – constraining Putin’s ability to use inflated oil revenues to sustain his war machine. This is why the UK, alongside G7 partners, have provided extensive guidance to industry to advise service providers, including insurers, on how they can move Russian oil in compliance with the price cap. We continue to monitor our oil-related measures and investigate any potential breaches robustly.

Mortgages: Interest Rates

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the role of reduced mortgage rates in the recent increase in house prices.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The path to lower interest rates is through low inflation, and the Government is fully committed to supporting the Bank of England to get inflation back down to the 2% target, including by keeping borrowing under control. The pricing and availability of mortgages is ultimately a commercial decision for lenders, in which the Government does not intervene. But our plan to bring inflation down is working. Average offered mortgage rates on 2-year and 5-year fixed rates have fallen from their peak in Summer 2023. The most comprehensive measure of average house prices in the UK is published by the Office for National Statistics. In November 2023 the average house price in the UK was assessed to be £285,000. That leaves average UK house prices 24% higher than their average level in 2019. The Government continues to monitor developments in the housing market closely and consider the implications for its policies.

Energy: VAT

Lord Foster of Bath: To ask His Majesty's Government when they will publish the results of theVAT energy saving materials relief – improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissionsconsultation, which ran from15 March to 31 May 2023.

Lord Foster of Bath: To ask His Majesty's Government whatplans they have to extend the VAT exemptions for energy savings materials to replacement windows and doors.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: At Spring Budget 2023, the Government published a call for evidence seeking views on potential areas of reform to the current VAT relief on the installation of energy-saving materials (ESMs) in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a relevant charitable purpose. The response to this call for evidence was published on 11 December and can be found on the Government website.[1] As set out in that response, in order to qualify for this VAT relief, an ESM must meet a number of criteria, including having a primary purpose of improving energy efficiency and saving carbon emissions. As doors and windows do not meet this criteria, the Government has no plans to extend this VAT relief to these items.  [1] VAT energy-saving materials relief – improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions

Duty Free Allowances

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to reinstatingVAT-free shopping for international visitors; and what assessment they have made of the impact that this would have on (1)tourism, (2) retail, (3) the hospitality sector, and (4) the overall economy.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Government analysis conducted in 2022 found that introducing a worldwide scheme could come at a fiscal cost of around £2 billion each year.The government’s costings calculate the direct cost of the policy to the exchequer, taking into account behavioural effects. The wider economic impacts of the policy are considered by the OBR through the indirect effects process.

Insurance Companies: Regulation

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their announcement in the Autumn Statement that they will consult on a framework for encouraging captive insurance companies in the UK, whether they will propose that such captive insurers will remain liable to the same solvency requirements as other insurers.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: In Spring this year, the Government will publish a consultation on the design of a new UK regime for captive insurance companies.The consultation will test views on proposals to introduce an attractive and competitive new UK captive insurance regime that works for businesses. Key to this will also be proportionate regulation that maintains the UK’s high regulatory standards.

UK Trade with EU: Customs

Lord Empey: To ask His Majesty's Government which parts of the European Union Customs Code applies in the United Kingdom.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The United Kingdom left the EU on 31 January 2020. The Windsor Framework, formally adopted by the United Kingdom and the European Union on 23 March 2023, and the ‘Safeguarding the Union’ Command Paper, published on 31 January 2024, set out the arrangements in respect of goods movements into and out of Northern Ireland.

Economic Situation

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they havemade of the impact of (1) current consumer spending, and (2) the declining inflation, on the economy.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Household consumption is the largest component of expenditure in the economy, accounting for around 60% of GDP. In Q3 2023, household consumption was 0.8% higher than in the same quarter of 2022, while consumer confidence reached a two-year high in January 2024. In the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) November 2023 forecast, consumption was forecast to grow by 0.5% in 2024. Inflation has more than halved, but it remains a challenge. Inflation reduces real incomes, creates uncertainty, and threatens our growth outlook so it’s essential that the government continues with its efforts to drive it down and not fuel it further. The OBR are the government’s official forecaster. They will update their economy forecast, including an assessment of changes in consumption and inflation, on 6 March.

Freezing of Assets

Viscount Waverley: To ask His Majesty's Government what foreign state assets are currently frozen by the UK; and in each case, what is the (1) country, (2) value, and (3) reason.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) undertakes an annual review of frozen assets in the UK, requiring all persons or institutions that hold or control frozen assets in the UK to report to OFSI. As stated in OFSI’s most recent Annual Review published in December 2023, as of September 30th 2022 £21.6 billion in frozen funds were reported to OFSI. This figure is provided in aggregate so as not to disclose the value of any funds held by particular individuals. HM Treasury does not break down reported assets in the manner requested.

Cabinet Office

Stormont Brake

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government which existing EU regulations and laws applying to Northern Ireland are within the scope of the Stormont Brake mechanism.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: With the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive back up and running, the powerful democratic safeguard of the Stormont Brake is now in operation. This gives MLAs a vital role in the decision on whether significant new goods rules impacting on everyday life in Northern Ireland should be applied. Its operation is set out in detail in the Windsor Framework (Democratic Scrutiny) Regulations 2024. The operation of the Windsor Framework and the application of a limited subset of EU law in Northern Ireland are subject to a consent vote of the Northern Ireland Assembly, due to be held later this year.

Non-departmental Public Bodies: Overseas Workers

Lord Naseby: To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued to non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) concerning requests from staff in those organisations to work overseas; andin which circumstances NDPBs are expected to agree to such requests.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The government does not issue guidance to non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) on temporary working from non-UK locations. Departments have delegated policy responsibility concerning requests from staff in NDPBs to work overseas. However, they must comply with FCDO and other regulatory requirements when posting employees overseas permanently, travelling overseas for business and considering requests from employees to work temporarily overseas. Departments work with their own arm’s length body (ALB) when considering requests from staff in NDPBs to work overseas.

Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee

Lord Farmer: To ask His Majesty's Government how parliamentarians and members of the public can engage with and make recommendations to the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The Queen Elizabeth Committee is in the early stages of its work of developing recommendations for a national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II, including both a permanent memorial and a legacy programme. As part of its work, the Committee will undertake public engagement and consultation, details of which will be shared in due course, and will consider how best to consult other stakeholders including parliamentarians. Further information on the Committee can be found on GOV.UK on https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/the-queen-elizabeth-memorial-committee.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Taiwan Strait: Air Routes

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on aviation safety and regional stability of the decision on 30 January of the Civil Aviation Administration of China to adjust the M503, W122 and W123 flight routes near the Taiwan Strait median line.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has regular discussions within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding the importance of communication and coordination in the protection of air safety, especially when it comes to changes to airspace such as this.We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and have underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside partners in previous G7 Foreign and Development Ministers' and Leaders' communiques.The UK's longstanding policy on Taiwan has not changed. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.

Gaza: Humanitarian Aid

Lord Blencathra: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with other countries which have suspended funding to UNRWA to create a new independent funding agency to deliver aid to Gaza.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are appalled by allegations that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.The pause will remain in place until we review the allegations, and we are looking to our partners in the UN to carry out a robust and comprehensive investigation.Any future funding decisions will be taken after this point.We are getting on with aid delivery and the UK is providing £60 million in humanitarian assistance to support partners including the British Red Cross, UNICEF, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to respond to critical food, fuel, water, health, shelter and security needs in Gaza.

Elizabeth Tsurkov

Lord McInnes of Kilwinning: To ask His Majesty's Government whether there has been any discussion with the government of Iraq concerning the case of the academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, currently being held hostage by Kata'ib Hezbollah.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is concerned over the kidnapping of Israeli-Russian dual national Elizabeth Tsurkov. The Government of Iraq opened an investigation into her kidnapping last year, and we await the findings. Those suspected of criminal responsibility should be brought to justice in fair trials. His Majesty's Government has not had any discussion with the Government of Iraq regarding the kidnapping.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Council Housing: Construction

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley: To ask His Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of council homes on social rents, excluding council homes on affordable rents, that they expect to be built by 2030.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Our £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme will deliver thousands of affordable homes for both rent and to buy right across the country.The Levelling Up White Paper committed to increasing the supply of social rented homes and a large number of the new homes delivered through our Affordable Homes Programme will be for social rent.Since 2010, we have delivered over 172,600 homes for social rent.

Social Rented Housing: Energy

Baroness Hayman: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byBaroness Scott of Bybrook on 27 June 2023 (HL Deb col 589) that they would “consult on standards for improving energy efficiency in the sector within six months of the [Social Housing (Regulation)] Bill receiving Royal Assent”, when they will publish that consultation.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: This Government is working to improve quality and standards in social housing. Last month the Government launched a consultation on Awaab’s law, which includes timescales for repair work in social housing. That consultation is available here Awaab’s Law: Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector. We will shortly launch a consultation on improving energy efficiency standards in social housing.We are pleased that many social housing providers are working towards improving the energy efficiency of their homes, and we continue to support the improvement of energy efficiency in the sector through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).We want to see more social homes that are safer, more decent, with cheaper energy bills and more energy efficiency.Awaab's Law consultation (docx, 77.6KB)

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Copyright

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest: To ask His Majesty's Government, following their consultation outcomeA pro-innovation approach to AI regulation: government response, published on 6 February, where they stated that "it is now clear that the working group will not be able to agree an effective voluntary code" between AI developers and rights holders concerning copyright protected materials, what plans they have to ensure thatcreators' rights are protected.

Viscount Camrose: The Government is engaging with AI and rights holder sectors to develop an approach that allows both sectors to grow together. Any approach will need to be underpinned by trust and transparency between parties, with greater transparency from AI developers about use of copyrighted material to train AI models and the attribution of outputs having an important role to play. The Government will soon set out further proposals on the way forward.